A 6-year-old child presents with severe anaemia, a pot-belly, and hypoproteinaemia. Stool examination reveals characteristic eggs with a clear plug at each pole ('barrel-shaped eggs with bipolar plugs'). Which parasite is responsible?
- A Ascaris lumbricoides
- B Ancylostoma duodenale
- C Trichuris trichiura ✓
- D Enterobius vermicularis
Correct answer: C. Trichuris trichiura
Explanation
Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) produces characteristically barrel-shaped or lemon-shaped eggs with prominent bipolar plugs, which are pathognomonic. Heavy infections cause trichuris dysentery syndrome with anaemia, prolapsed rectum, and protein-losing enteropathy. Ascaris lumbricoides eggs are corticated or decorticated but oval without polar plugs. Hookworm (Ancylostoma) eggs are oval with thin shells and internal larvae. Enterobius vermicularis eggs are plano-convex ('D-shaped') best detected by adhesive tape test.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.